Mechanical recycle interval timer



July 5, 1966 v c. FUHRWERK ETAL 3,259,275

MECHANICAL RECYCLE INTERVL TIMER Filed Aug. 3l, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. VICTOR C. FUHRWERK lawn?. l. THMAN ATTORNEYS.

July 5, 1956 v c. FUHRWERK ETAL 3,259,275

MECHANICAL RECYCLE INTERVAL TIMER Filed Aug. 31. 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.. VICTOR C. FUHRWERK ATTORNEYS.

July 5, 1966 v c. FUHRWERK r-:TAL 3,259,275

MECHANICAL RECYCLE INTERVAL TIMER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 51, 1964 zu ,wg

INVENTORS. VICTOR C, FUHRWERK PAUL A LU HMAN! @a d 0/ ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3 259,275 MECHANICAL RECYCLE INTERVAL TIMER Victor C. Fahrwerk, Celina, and liaul A. Luthman, Maria Stein, Ohio, assignors to Avco Corporation, Coldwater, hio, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 31, 1964, Ser. No. 393,295 9 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) This invention relates to mechanical recycle interval timers and is particularly concerned with such timers for use with farm mechanization equipment such as bunk feeders.

With the increased utilization of farm mechanization equipment it has been found desirable to provide apparatus with which feed in various forms can be moved from a silo, grain bin or other source of supply and distributed to feed bunks located in cattle pens for the purpose of supplying cattle therein with appropriate nourishment. One type of equipment devised for this purpose is known as a bunk feeder which generally comprises a hopper into which a quantity of feed is deposited and an auger conveyor connected therewith from which the feed is carried a considerable distance, usually parallel to a series of bunks from which the cattle are fed. This conveyor is normally provided with one of various types of apertures through which the feed can spill into the bunks as it is conveyed therealong. Such apertures are closed by closure means often in the form of gates which are pivoted on the conveyor casing and arranged to be opened and closed by suitable mechanism.

The first types of this apparatus were operable by hand but it was soon found that such equipment required the presence of an operator in order to properly control the rate at which feed was supplied to the various bunks. Subsequently it was found desirable to design equipment so that the gates were operated automatically by mechanism which opened and closed them at predetermined times. Although adequate electrically operated mechanism has been devised for this purpose it has been found that in some circumstances it is advisable to use mechanical control which has certain advantages in that it can be provided simply and economically. Moreover, some operators prefer mechanical equipment since they regard it as more reliable and easily adjusted or repaired in case of malfunction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a device by which the gates of bunk feeding apparatus may be opened and closed automatically by mechanical means.

A further object is to provide an automatic mechanism by which a crank or cam, suitably connected by levers or cables to a plurality of swinging gates can be rotated to accomplish a predetermined cycle for the purpose of opening and closing said gates at predetermined times.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which will vary the time that the gates are opened and closed and the time between door opening cycles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mechanism which functions as an adjustable timer which causes the doors of a bunk feeder to open and close and to do this at predetermined time intervals.

A still further object is to provide brake means to prevent (1) premature clutch disengagement and (2) gates closing too hard.

A still further object is to provide a mechanism by which clutch means may be actuated at predetermined times to turn a crank and open a pivoted gate.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims; the invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood Mice from the following description of a specific embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a mechanical timing mechanism embodying the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view with parts broken away and parts in section, taken along plane 2 -2 of FIG. l, and showing a timing arm positioned against a shaft for movement thereof along the shaft;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FiG. 2 but with the gear housing, clutch and brake mechanisms removed; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the operation of the crank arm with respect to pivoted gates normally held closed by the force of tension springs.

For the purpose of explanation and not limitation the invention may be briefly described as comprising a cycling device comprising a crank, a rotatable shaft, timing means positively movable along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means connected to said arm and actuated by said timing means to rotate said arm a single revolution about the axis of said shaft when said timing means reaches an extreme position along said shaft, means to return said timing means to an initial position on said shaft for commencing another cycle, and brake means automatically effective upon said arm during a part of its cycle to stop the same.

Coming now to a detailed description of our device, we have shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 a timer constructed in accordance with the present invention. This: comprises a casing lil within which is suitably mounted a timing shaft 11 provided with threads 12. An arm 13 is provided with complementary threads 14, the arm being pivoted on mutually perpendicular axes 15 and 16. The threads 12 and 14 are designed so that with a given r.p.m. of shaft 11 it will take a predetermined time for the arm 13 to travel from or near one end of the threaded shaft to the other, as from point A to B, as shown in FIG. 3. The arm 13 is held down on shaft 11 with the threads engaged by a spring 17 secured intermediate the arm 13 and to a fixed point 18 in the casing.

When the arm completes the travel from point A to B it presses against the hub of clutch plate member 25 of a spring pressed clutch shown generally at 20. The clutch may be regarded as an adjustable-timer-controlled, one revolution clutch. Member 25 is pressed inwardly to the right against spring 25a as shown in FIG. 3, causing the pin 26 disposed in this member to penetrate into a channel shaped groove 27 in cam member 28. Collar portion 21 of the cam member surrounds shaft 11 and is mounted in bearing 22. The cam member Z8 is thus freely rotatable around the shaft 11. To collar 21 is secured crank arm 23 which on rotation of the collar describes a circular path around the axis of shaft 21 at a relatively low r.p.m. As will be subsequently described, the crank arm 23 is arranged to pull cables C secured to pivoted gates G which are normally held closed by springs S connected to levers L, as described and claimed in application Serial No. 393,333, filed Aug. 31, 1964, by Victor C. Fuhrwerk and Paul A. Luthman.

To the cam 28 is secured by pins 38 a yoke 39 carrying a bar 40. On rotation of the cam 28 the bar 40 rotates and lifts the arm 13 and permits it to slide or swing back to `a stop, such as stop 51, provided adjacent point A. When the bar 40 continues to rotate around shaft 11 the arm 13 is brought downwardly by the action of spring 17 so that the threads 14 on the arm again intermesh with the threads 12 on shaft 11, and so that another cycle may be begun. At the same time pressure is relieved from the face of member 25 and permits the spring pressure exerted by spring 25a to cause the retraction of pin 26 from the channel 27 in cam 28 (when the torsional load caused by spring 43 acting on brake drum 29 has been reduced suiciently), thereby terminating the revolution of cam 28 and arm 23.

Arm 23 is suitably connected at its end 24 to a cable C for the purpose of actuating the gates of the bunk feeder. A suitable mechanism for accomplishing this purpose is shown in our copending application, Serial No. 393,333, filed Aug. 31, 1964, previously referred to, but the same is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be appreciated that power is applied to the timer through input shaft 30 which actuates a variable speed pulley 31 to impart rotation to wheel 32 secured to shaft 33 on which is provided a worm 34 operating a worm wheel 35 on shaft 11. The worm and worm wheel may be suitably housed in gear case 36. In order to vary the speed of the shaft 11 an idler pulley 60 is mounted on bell crank 61 so that it may be raised or lowered by adjusting shaft 62 threaded through bracket 63 and operated by handle 64. A greater or lesser tension on the idler pulley increases or decreases the tension of the belt on variable speed pulley 31 to decrease or increase its diameter and vary the speed of the drive. This construction is well known in the art and will not be further described.

Cam member 23 also serves `the function of a brake drum and is provided with a brake drum surface 29 which cooperates with brake shoe 41, which is spring biased thereagainst by spring 43. Cam 28 has cut-out portions 44 and 45 so that the brake does not press against the drum 29 during the initial revolution of cam member 28. When cam member 28 reaches Ithe last part of its revolution, however, the brake 41 engages brake drum 29 and exerts a braking action thereto so that during the last part of its rotation it comes to a slow stop. This action is extremely desirable since it maintains a load on the clutch 2t) so that it is not thrown out by the forces exerted by springs S on crank arm 23 until a predetermined point is reached in the last 180 degrees of its revolution. It also permits the crank arm 23 to come to a slow stop and prevents the slamming of the gates to which the arm is connected.

Stop 51 may be provided so that the travel of arm 13 at the end of each cycle is stopped at the point where it is intended that another cycle begin. An adjustable stop 52 may also be provided so that it may be pivoted on shaft 53 by a control handle 54, and may be moved out of the way when desired, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that the cycle can be shortened by interposing this stop at some intermediate point.

For the purpose of illustration it is appropriate to design a gearing to drive shaft 11 at 5 r.p.m. or one revolution every ltwelve seconds by providing a threaded shaft with 3 of thread. The arm 13 would travel the length of the threaded portion slightly under five minutes. This permits adjustment of the cycle anywhere within this period of time and would provide ample time for a complete cycle to be completed, with an auger extending considerably over 100 feet.

It should be noted that the variable speed pulley arrangement permits a fine adjustment of the cycle at such times as this becomes necessary.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A cycling device comprising a crank, a rotatable shaft, timing means positively movable along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means disposed about said shaft and connected to said crank and actuated by said timing means to rotate said crank a single revolution about the axis of said shaft when said timing means reaches an extreme position along said shaft and means to retum said timing means to an initial position on said shaft for commencing another cycle.

2. A cycling device comprising a crank, a rotatable shaft timing means positively movable along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means disposed about said shaft and connected to said crank and actuated by said timing means to rotate said crank a single revolution about the axis of said shaft when said timing means reaches an extreme position along said shaft, means to return said timing means to an initial position on said shaft, and brake means automatically effective upon said crank to stop the same.

3. A cycling device comprising a crank, a rotatable shaft, swingable means positively movable along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means disposed about said shaft and connected to said crank and actuated by said swingable means to rotate said crank a single revolution around the axis of said shaft when said swingable means reaches an extreme position along said shaft and means to return said swingable means to an initial position on said shaft.

4. A cycling device comprising a crank, a rotatable shaft, swingable means positively movable along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means connected to said crank and actuated by said swingable means to rotate said crank a single revolution about the axis of said shaft when said swingable means reaches an extreme position along said shaft, means to return said swingable means to an initial position on said shaft, and brake means automatically applied to said crank to bring the same to a slow stop during the last degrees of its revolution.

5. A cycling device comprising a crank, a rotatable screw threaded shaft, a timing arm one end of which is swingable about a xed pivot and the other end of which is provided with screw threads complementary to those on said shaft whereby Said end is moved along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means on said shaft adjacent the threaded portion thereof, said clutch means being connected to said crank and actuated by said timing arm to rotate said crank a single revolution about the axis of said shaft when said timing arm reaches an extreme position along said shaft and means to return said timing arm to an initial position on said shaft.

6. A cycling device comprising a crank, a rotatable screw threaded shaft, a timing arm one end of which is swingable about a xed pivot and the other end of which is provided with screw threads complementary to those on said shaft whereby said end is moved along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means on said shaft adjacent the threaded portion thereof, said clutch means being connected to said crank and actuated by said timing arm to rotate said crank a single revolution about the axis of said shaft when said timing arm reaches an extreme position along said shaft, means to return said timing arm to an initial position on said shaft, and brake means automatically applied to said crank during the last 180 degrees of its travel.

7. A cycling device comprising a rotatable shaft, timing means positively movable along such shaft during rotation, clutch means disposed about said shaft, said timing means engaging said clutch means when such timing means reaches an extreme position along such shaft, means for disengaging said clutch means after one revolution and means to return such timing means to initial position to engage said shaft for commencing another cycle.

8. A cycling device comprising an actuating member, a rotatable shaft connected thereto, timing means positively movable along said shaft during rotation thereof, clutch means connecting said member and shaft and actu-1 ated by said timing means to rotate said member a single revolution about the axis of said shaft when said timing means reaches an extreme position along said shaft, means to return said timing means to an initial position on said shaft for commencing another cycle, and means to adjust the time between cycles.

9. A cattle feeder comprising in combination with a trough having pivoted doors through which feed is dis- 5 6 charged into a longitudinally extending bunk a cycling References Cited by the Examiner device comprising an actuating member connected with UNITED STATES PATENTS said doors to open and close them periodically, a rotatable 2,613,108 10/1952 Kraus 222 70 shaft, timing means positively movable along said shaft 5 FOREIGN PATENTS during rotation thereof, an adjustable-timercontrolled one revolution clutch connected to said actuating member and means to return said timing means to an initial posi- EVON C- BLUNK, Primary Examinertion on said shaft for commencing another cycle. HADD S. LANE, Examiner.

374,170 6/1932 Great Britain. 

1. A CYCLING DEVICE COMPRISING A CRANK, A ROTATABLE SHAFT, TIMING MEANS POSITIVELY MOVABLE ALONG SAID SHAFT DURING ROTATION THEREOF, CLUTCH MEANS DISPOSED ABOUT SAID SHAFT AND CONNECTED TO SAID CRANK AND ACTUATED BY SAID TIMING MEANS TO ROTATE SAID CRANK A SINGLE REVOLUTION ABOUT THE AXIS OF SAID SHAFT WHEN SAID TIMING MEANS REACHES AN EXTREME POSITION ALONG SAID SHAFT AND MEANS TO RETURN SAID TIMING MEANS TO AN INITIAL POSITION ON SAID SHAFT FOR COMMENCING ANTHER CYCLE. 